The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-08-28
A RAJAH.s MANSION.
Description of a Visit to the Elegant Home
of an Indian Prince.

OF an Indian Prince.
When was finishing busy day, in
company with Mr.. May. we stopped at
the house of Rajah, on a side of CAL
cutta which l had not visited before.
The magnificent home Of native
Hindu Prince is always a place of in
terest. The fact that such thing ex-
lists, is Of itself remarkable. The Eng
lish lave had matters their own way,
and, like the Give. could easily have
absorbed about all the wealth of the
country. On the contrary, they have
been just and moderate. Even the
Princes who arrayed themselves
against India during the mutiny have
not been turned adrift without a rupee.
Many of the noble families are to-day
drawing pensions from the general
treasury. and living in vast luxury.
There are many others, however, who
seem to have been in no way connected
with the political complications of the
country. and are in the undisturbed en-
joyment of their vast estates. The
English respect for native rights in
India is one of the most remarkable
illustrations of political justice in his
tory. 1t is as far above modern SPANS
treatment of her colonial possessions.
or ancient Rome's procedure in rela-
ton to her conquered provinces. rs
Christianity is above and beyond either
ancient or modern paganism.
TO thso
Rajah's home is large. and unguarded
by servants. There is large circular
court. with pond for marine fowls
and fishes. In the trees there are par
rots and other tame birds.
Our cards at the door of the great
mansion secured us prompt admission.
The furniture was rich, and mostly in
European style, but there were some
old pieces of elaborate Indian work.
manship. Marble objects of ornament.
and rich floors, and finely wrought
wainscoting, and tall mirrors were to
be seen on every hand. The rooms
were in part in suits, and in part locat-
ed singly, as quiet hooks for conversa-
ton and retirement. Some of the
larger halls and chambers were in pro-
cess of new decoration.
In India much of the work of embel-
fishing. and even Of the more solid dec
Grafton in stone, is done by artists in
| the house. and not in the distant work
shops. The marble cutters, instead Of
finishing the objects away from the
house. do it OH the spot where they
are to be used 1t is no short
task. therefore, to put a native house
in order in India. Wood and stone are
brought to the place in the rough, and
the workmen, in large numbers carry
out their plans within the eye of the
owner of the house. In this Rajah's
house was all the litter of great Flor
entine marble workshop. Here wa
work going on in fine mosaic. the az
lists, no doubt, having come from
Agra for the special purpose. There
were many servants and overseers
some of them clad in picturesque
oriental costume, and all having thci
specific duties
The grandson of the Raiah, a COURT,
young gentleman, converscd with us
few minutes, and then withdrew. Th
intelligent attendant who had receive.
us at first was in no haste, but gave u
ample time to examine this immens
building and all its appointments ant
the surrounding grounds. One thing
here greatly astonished me-the appar
ent modesty of the wealthy native. |
he has an ostentatious spirit, it is har'
to detect it. He says nothing in prais
of his rare birds, or fine mosaics. vas
halls, or the immense boa con stric
tors, which wind about, or sleep in tn
meadow behind the close wire fence
He simply stands at n distance, o
leaves a servant with you, and onl
bows his head in acknowledgement O
any words of appreciation which 20
may say concerning any beautiful o
surprising collection Bishop John 4
| Hurst. in ChdtttQu1udn.